Edmonton Oilers fans received troubling news as head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that veteran forward Evander Kane is facing a potentially long absence due to injury. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hinted at a significant recovery period for the 33-year-old star, raising concerns about his future this season.
The Oilers’ training camp kicked off without Kane, who underwent surgery last week. General Manager Stan Bowman revealed that the forward would not only miss training camp but likely a large portion of the upcoming season as well. Kane himself shared an update on Instagram, saying, “Successful surgery, long road ahead, but very grateful for my amazing surgeons and nurses.”
Though it’s still unclear when Kane will return to full strength, Friedman suggested that his recovery could extend into January or February. The surgery involved extensive repairs, including work on his abductors, two abdominal tears, and two hernias, which will require a lengthy rehabilitation.
If Kane’s return timeline stretches into February, the Oilers may have a strategic decision to make. By keeping Kane on the injured reserve until the playoffs, Edmonton could potentially free up cap space to make additional acquisitions at the trade deadline. This strategy has been used successfully by teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights in recent years.
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Despite Kane’s absence, the Oilers, bolstered by summer additions such as Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, remain strong contenders for a deep playoff run. With the possibility of Kane returning in time for a postseason push, Edmonton could find themselves well-positioned to chase another trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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